5/19/26 Child Nutrition Services Special Update

Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction sent this bulletin at 05/19/2026 04:04 PM PDT

Child Nutrition Services Special Update, May 19, 2026

Update: Expanding Fluid Milk Options in the Child Nutrition Programs

Update: Expanding Fluid Milk Options in the Child Nutrition Programs

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) published the final rule, Expanding Fluid Milk Options in Child Nutrition Programs (91 FR 25073) that goes into effect June 8, 2026.

This rule expands fluid milk options by allowing operators of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Afterschool Snack Program (ASP), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and Special Milk Program for Children (SMP) to offer whole and 2% reduced-fat milk to participants two years and older. This rule codifies milkfat requirements following enactment of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 (P.L. 119-69) and supports the statutory requirements for meals to align with the goals of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030. This rule extends the saturated fat exclusion from weekly dietary specifications in NSLP to the SBP and clarifies that whole and reduced-fat milk may now be sold as a compliant beverage for Smart Snacks in Schools.

Milk Substitutions

The NSLP fluid milk substitution updates outlined in memorandum SP 01-2026: Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 – Implementation Requirements for the National School Lunch Program do not change regulatory requirements around milk substitutions in SBP, ASP, CACFP, and SMP. USDA plans to update milk substitution requirements in SBP, ASP, CACFP, and SMP through future rulemaking.

Open Comment Period

The USDA invites written comments on this final rule. Comments may be submitted in writing by one of the following methods on or before June 8, 2026:

Online (preferred): Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
Mail: Send comments to School Meals Policy Division, Food and Nutrition Service, 1320 Braddock Place, Alexandria, VA 22314.

All written comments submitted in response to this final rule will be included in the record and will be made available to the public. Please be advised that the substance of the comments and the identity of the individuals or entities submitting the comments will be subject to public disclosure. FNS will make the written comments publicly available on the internet via http://www.regulations.gov.

USDA will release a memorandum to provide information and guidance on implementation of the final rule in the next few weeks.

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Led by State Superintendent Chris Reykdal, OSPI oversees K-12 public education in Washington state. Our mission is to provide funding, resources, tools, data and technical assistance that enable educators to ensure students succeed in our public schools, are prepared to access post-secondary training and education, and are equipped to thrive in their careers and lives.

ADA NOTIFICATION FOR OSPI CHILD NUTRITION SERVICES EVENTS
To arrange accommodations for persons with disabilities for OSPI Child Nutrition Services events, please contact the Child Nutrition Services Team at 360-725-6200, TTY 360-664-3631, or by email, child.nutrition@k12.wa.us at least three business days before the event. Please note that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not require OSPI to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or services, or impose an undue financial or administrative burden.

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